Here You Come Again

By Wendy Dalrymple

After a secret battle with breast cancer, Lissa Tanner is finally starting to feel like her old self again. She was born in Pigeon Forge, TN, and grew up idolizing Dolly Parton, eventually using her music and spirit as a muse for her recovery. She’s got a new look and a bright future and is even feeling bold enough to approach Javier, the much younger orderly she saw every day in the hospital when she was sick. He would smile and wave but they never really spoke… until now.

Javier is a single dad struggling to make ends meet with little time for anything but work. His job as an oncology nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital in downtown Miami pays well, but between old debts, student loans, and child support, he’s struggling. He’s also not looking as fit as he used to back when he played high school football, so Javier doesn’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to women.

When Lissa and Javier accidentally switch coffees at the cafe outside the hospital gym, sparks fly instantly. But Javier doesn’t recognize the sick patient that he used to wave to from afar, and she is afraid to tell him who she really is. When Javier joins Lissa’s gym, they forge an unlikely friendship, but as every day passes and they get to know each other a little more, it gets harder and harder for Lissa to tell him the truth. If Lissa can’t find a way to open up to Javier before he has to make a life-changing decision, they might both miss out on a second chance at love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094415321

Wendy Dalrymple

Wendy Dalrymple crafts highly consumable, short and sweet romances inspired by everyday people. When she’s not writing happily-ever-afters, you can find her camping with her family, painting (bad) wall art, and trying to grow as many pineapples as possible. Keep up with Wendy at www.wendydalrymple.com!

Book preview

Chapter One

Lissa Tanner wiped the sweat from her brow, removed her wireless earbuds, and grinned as she looked at the treadmill display. The glowing digital numbers read 18:32; her best time yet for a two-mile run. There was a stitch in her side and her knee complained a little, but otherwise, she was entirely exhilarated. That running time might have been no big deal to some people, but for Lissa, it was nothing short of a miracle. A year ago, even getting out of bed was no small feat.

After wiping down her workout space, downing half a bottle of water, and waving goodbye to her old trainer, Ruth, Lissa headed to the locker room for a quick rinse and change. It was three p.m. on a Wednesday and the showers were blissfully empty as she tore off her sweaty workout tee and tossed it in her gym bag. She made a mental note to avoid the full-length mirrors that seemed to be everywhere as she stripped off her sweaty workout gear; Lissa still had a long way to go when it came to getting comfortable with the state of her new body. Though she felt strong and fit, coming to terms with the striped stretch marks on her thighs and soft belly was difficult — but not nearly as difficult as accepting the state of her left breast. Fortunately she was able to stuff her body away in ultra-supportive shapewear most of the day to avoid obsessing about her awkward new shape and the still pink and shiny scars.

Lissa continued to avert her eyes from her reflection as she toweled off and slipped back into her favorite green maxi dress and denim jacket. Piped-in Christmas music echoed through the nearly empty locker room, but she didn’t need the sleigh-bell tunes to remind her what time of year it was; Lissa lived for Christmas. She smiled and fluffed her short blonde bob in the mirror before heading back out into the world, satisfied enough with her outward image for the moment. She didn’t feel the need to reset her hair to get the kind of height that her idol Dolly Parton would be proud of, but she reapplied her favorite red lip color and gold jingle-bell earrings just the same. The Lissa Tanner that stared back at her in the mirror was still a stranger in some ways, but she was becoming more and more of the person she had always wanted to be.

Invigorated from her run, Lissa concluded that a celebratory sugar-free gingerbread latté was in order. The gym attached to Jackson Memorial Hospital was near her boutique in downtown Miami and featured a café and smoothie bar right outside, making it her preferred one-stop lunch-break destination. The gym had become part of her routine, as well as her sanctuary, and was one of Lissa’s favorite places to go, even before her partial mastectomy. Working out helped her to manage her depression, and as a side effect, helped her shed some weight. Plus it didn’t hurt that the hospital café and gym was also a great place to try and catch a glimpse of her favorite oncology nurse.

Javier.

The tall teddy bear of an orderly had been so nice to her through all of her oncology treatments, even from afar. Despite being alone, scared out of her mind, tired, and in pain, Lissa still couldn’t help but notice him as he made his rounds at the hospital. No matter what he was doing, Javier would always take the time to smile and say good morning as he passed her in the hall, giving her something to look forward to during her many appointments. She watched from a distance as he cared for other sick patients, staying positive and light on his feet in the face of so much suffering. Even though he never directly cared for her — or spoke to her, really — just seeing him in such good spirits helped to lift her spirits too.

The café just outside of the gym was busier than usual that day, as hospital employees and visitors waited for their espressos and hot chocolates and teas. Lissa didn’t mind the wait as she soaked in the holiday ambience of the bustling coffee shop; she only needed to finish up a few things at Curvature, her plus-size intimates boutique, before wrapping up work for the day. Her recent brush with calamity had taught her to slow down and enjoy things a little more, something the old Lissa often struggled to do.

"Sugar-free gingerbread latté for Lissa!"

Lissa snapped out of her dreamy haze as the barista called her name; her mind had drifted to adjustable lingerie straps and padded bra cup inserts as it often did while she waited in line. She shuffled through the crowd of customers to the counter to retrieve her drink, still distracted by the changes she wanted to make on the new line of post-surgery intimate-wear she was developing. She had found so much relief from running and being physically active after her surgery, but could never find the right kind of protective undergarments to make her workouts more comfortable. So, in typical Lissa fashion, she designed the perfect post-op workout bra for herself.

With her drink in sight, Lissa edged her way through a roadblock of cheerful, oblivious customers. As she made her way to the counter she could practically taste the spicy holiday coffee she had been working hard for all week. Just as she was about to grab her gingerbread beverage and go, another hand shot through the crowd and snatched her highly anticipated latté right out from under her grasp.

Hey! That’s mine!

Lissa blinked and forced her mouth to keep from hanging open as she instantly recognized the coffee thief. Her heart hammered in her chest as the broad-shouldered man in front of her turned toward her voice, batting a set of impossibly thick dark lashes over irises the color of spiced rum. Lissa’s vision glazed over as the moment she had been hoping would happen for so long unfolded right before her eyes. She gazed up under heavy, dreamy eyelids and registered a short crop of dark, wavy hair, followed by a kind, stubbly face and soft, broad shoulders. Even in his normal set of turquoise scrubs with Jackson Memorial Hospital embroidered just over his left breast, Javier still looked every bit as handsome as she remembered.

"Gingerbread latté for Javier!"

Lissa and the coffee thief both flinched as the barista boomed out Javier’s coffee order, her voice cutting through the din of café-dwellers and Christmas music. The barista gave Lissa a smirking grin and shook her head at the coffee-counter mix-up before returning behind the register. Javier frowned and looked down at the coffee in his hand, registering the scribbled name on the cup, and then back up at Lissa.

I guess this does belong to you, he said, extending the cup in her direction. Sorry. It’s been a stressful day. I guess I just heard gingerbread and blanked out.

That’s okay, she said, her voice high and tight. This can be a stressful time of year.

Their fingertips touched briefly as her hand wrapped around the warm cup. It was then that she finally remembered to breathe.

You said it. Getting a Christmas coffee helps a little though, right? He shrugged, retrieving his own cup. Gotta enjoy the holiday in whatever little way we can.

Lissa nodded in agreement, her jingle-bell earrings tinkling in her ears as they walked away side by side. Whether it was from being near Javier or because she kept forgetting to breathe, Lissa’s feet seemed to barely touch the ground as she floated away from the counter. Javier stayed at her side with his twin latté in hand as the buzz of the café thrummed around them.

I like that outlook, she said, extending her hand. I’m Lissa.

Javier smiled and the dimples that she remembered from all of those faraway glances reappeared. Their eyes met as he accepted her reach and she watched as her palm disappeared inside his enormous grip. His hand was warm and soft to the touch. She didn’t want to let go.

Javier, he said, tugging at his hospital ID lanyard around his neck. You probably noticed that, though.

Lissa smiled and sipped her drink, suppressing the urge to giggle like an idiot. She was beginning to feel very warm and in the holiday spirit indeed.

Do you work at the hospital?

A shot of sugar-free spiced coffee threatened to spray out of Lissa’s nose as she choked at the question. Up until that moment, Lissa had been wondering — no, obsessing — about what she would say if they ever spoke. Would Javier recognize her? Would she tell him that she remembered him?

No, she managed, shaking her head as she choked on her offee.

Oh no!

Javier’s face scrunched up in

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